Method of and device for controlling the closing panels of shipholds, railway cars and the like



April 1961 H. KUMMERMAN 2,979,012 "ETI'IOD OF AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE CLOSING PANEIS 0F SHIPHOLDS, RAILWAY CARS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Shoot 1 Filed D60- 31, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. KUMMERMAN METHOD OF AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE CLOSING PANELS OF SHIPHOLDS. RAILWAY CARS AND THE LIKE April 11, 1961 Filed Dec. 31, 1957 drawback of:a very highcost price.

United States Patent METHOD OF AND DEVICEFOR CONTROLLING THE CLOSING PANELS OF SHIPHOLDS, RAIL- WAY CARS'AND THE LIKE Henri Kummerman, Paris, France, assignor to International MacGregor Organization (I.M.G.O.), Casablanca, Morocco, a body corporate of Morocco Filed Dec. 31, 1957, Ser. No. 706,362

Claims priority, application France Jan. 7, 1957 6 Claims. c1.114-z0z This invention relates essentially to a method of and a device for closing shipholds, railway cars and generally any open spaces, provided with hatch-covers or like panels rolling or sliding on the edges of the aperture to be closed.

The hatch-covers and panels generally used to this end are provided with means such as rollers or skids to permit their displacement by rolling or sliding on the edges of the aperture to be closed. In other words, the hatchcovers or panels are moved in one direction for opening the space or inthe other direction for closing the space along the longitudinal or. transverse axis of the aperture, and stowed either in special recesses or com partments provided to this end, or simply sidewise. Many arrangements have already been proposed in view of facilitating the displacements of these hatch-covers and panels. Thus, in certain cases, separate panels are utilized which are also displaced separately by means of cables or chains with the assistance of derrick masts in the case of ships. In other propositions, the panels are interconnected through flexible or rigid means and the end panel is either pushed in one direction or pulled in the opposite direction. The thus controlled end panel transmits the traction or thrust effort applied thereto to the other panels of the assembly to move them along the edges of the aperture to be closed. In other known arrangements, notably in case of hingedly interconnected panel elements forming in their space-closing position a continuous cover adapted to be folded in the fashion of a folding-screen or accordion, when .the panels are kept in their stowing space, hydraulic or like fluid-actuated cylinders are used which are disposed externally or internally of the panels themselves. The actuation of these cylinders produces traction or thust efforts whereby' the panels forming the closing device are either spread or stowed.

Of course, the operation of the control means associated with closing panels of this general character must be as reliable and fast-acting as possible. On the other hand,"the present trend amongst manufacturers is toward complete automation. The so-called hydraulichatchcovers or'panels', that is, those equipped with built-in cylinders may be considered, as pertaining to the fully automaticart. However, they are attended bytheserious :Now it .is the. essential objectof this invention to providea panel control method and device characterized by a great constructional simplicitycombined with a considerable and-advantageous automation in its operationl "The method of this invention is remarkable notably in that it consists in providing at leastone -separate. panel or-panel eleni'ent; rolling or sliding on the edges of the aperture to .be closed, equipping same with self-contained closing position by spreading them over the aperture or on the contrary to their stowing position.

It will be readily understood that the use of a special completely self-driving panel element constitutes an appreciable advantage for with this arrangement it is possible to eXert a thrust or traction at the desired moment on the panel assembly to be moved without requiring any physical effort from the operator; besides, the assembly can be remote-controlled.

This invention is also concerned with improved means for carrying out the method broadly set forth hereinabove which is remarkable notably in that it comprises at least one separate panel, called self-propelled panel in the following disclosure, which is adapted, on the one hand, to roll or slide along the edges of the aperture and provided with self-contained driving means whereby it can move preferably'in both directions and practically from one end to the other end of this aperture, and, on the other hand, to exert a thrust or a traction on the remaining panel elements of the assembly for moving them either to a stowing position or to a spread position to close the aforesaid aperture.

According to another feature of this invention, the dimensions of the self-propelled panel are considerably smaller than those of the closing panels proper.

According to another characteristic feature of this invention, the propelling or motor means for driving the self-propelled panel consist of mechanical, hydraulic or electrical means, or a combination of tWo or more of thesemeans. Q

The application of the device according to this invention is particularly useful in the case of hatch-cover and like panels consisting of separate units interconnected through flexible or rigid hinge means. Panels of this general character are already known throughout the world under the trade name of Single-Pull MacGregor." However, it is evident that the use of the method and device according to the present invention is by no means limited to this specific type of panel and is also applicable to panel units of completely different types, for example of thetype comprising separate or hingedly interconnected panel units.

Other features of the invention will appear as the following description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and illustrating diagrammatically by way of example a typical embodiment of a panel arrangement constructed and controlled according to the teachings of the present invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal diagrammatic section showingya shiphold hatch-cover incorporating panels of the well-known Single Pull MacGregor type and a device according to this invention;

Figure 2 is a corresponding top plan view of the same assemblyg.

cording to thisinvention, and i 1 Figure '47, is a-detail view showing on a larger scale the driving mechanism equipping the self-propelled panel and the relevant hatch-coaming.

In the practical embodiment of the invention which is illustratedin the attached drawings, it is assumed that "the space to bev closed is a hatchway equipped in this specific case, but not compulsorily, with Single Pull MacGregor panels. The hatchway is designated by the reference numeral 1 and the hatch-coaming by the reference numeral2. The different panels provided for closing thewhatchway are divided in this example into two series A audQB; The serieslA comprises'the panel ,units 3,3", 3", 3" on the'left-hand-side of Figure l, and

the series .B,comprises the panel units4, 4' positionedon the right-hand side of this figure. It is evident that any other panel arrangement may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Each panel unit of series A is provided with supporting rollers 5, '5' and tilting rollers 6.] These tilting rollers 6 co-act with a ramp or cam face 7 and the bearing rollersS'gare adapted to engage during'one fraction of their travel'a cam face 8 assisting in guidingthese rollers during the movement of the rollers 6 along the cam faces 7. With this arrangement, it is possible positively to guide the panel units during their tilting movement from the horizontal position shown in dashed lines to the vertical position in which they are shown in the stowing space 9.

- The same applies to the other series of panel units B incorporating bearing rollers 5, 5' and tilting rollers 6, as well as ramps '7';and 8, and a stowing space 9'.

The variouspanel units are interconnectedthrough cables-or chains 10,';10"and-asa"rule when it is desired to-open the'hat chway the end panel 3'." or 4' is pushed A in the direction towards thestowing space. 'In the other case, that is, when it--is desired to close-the hatchway, the same end panels 3" or 4' are pulled in the opposite direction.

Now, it is the essential object of this invention to create a separate panel element adapted to'roll or slide along the edges of the hatchway and to exert'the aforesaid thrust and traction efforts on the other'p anels.

According to this invention, the lateral edges of the i hatchway areprovided with a-rack' orlike member 11.

If thepanel units are relatively long or if the aperture to be closed is relatively wide, two racks 11 and 11 each disposed along one of the lateral-edges of the hatch-coaming are provided. Preferably, these racks have. vertical spur teeth and areprotected by a suitable flange or's'ection 12 (see Figures '-3-,and4 if. a Still in' accordance-with the presentinvention; an: intermediate panel 13; preferably. of awidth considerably smallenthan-that'of the ordinary panel units Sand 4,

is-providedjthis intermediate panel 13 being adapted to move along the longitudinal edges of the hatch-coaming'. This panel element 13 comprisestwo pairs ofibearing rollers 14, 15 and carries'a power unit 16*,for example anelectrornotor, a hydraulic or other motor drivingly connected to a pinion lTmeshingwith another pinion 18 keyed on the shaft of a reducing gear"19;'preferably of thedifierential type, actuating'in turn a pair of laterally-extending shaftsZO, ZI'mounted in bearings 22,13 and provided ;for example :with flexible 'i'couplings 24; 25;

Thesideshaft'or'eachside shaft 20 ,21carriesat' its outer end 1a:bevel-pinion" 26, 27 meshing with a correspondinggbevel pinion 2-8, 29 solidlwith" astub shaft "carrying on its other end a spur pinionior'toothed wheel30, .31: :The' 2 wheels .30; 31 are 'disposedin a substantially horizontal-plane :fan'di mesh with and 'roll along :the rele scribed are substantially enclosed ina protectivrcase 132,335 i- 1' r As a rule, care is taken to so select the length and :height of the raclc'and spur-pinion'fteeth that the panel "5-,

units are. allowed a' eer fain freedom 'in: the vertiiial direction without interfering withthe'proper meshing between :these *gearTelementsf-Tn fact, this. vertical' moveme nt is necessary: to seat: the panels 2.13 sandi 4 on their-sealing gaskets 35 carried along .th'e-hatch-coamingL T? IThe=operationiof the arrangement so far described is extremely simple. "As"the panel-unitsfarein theirhatcliclosing position; theyareraligned as' shown by thed'ashed line 34" of Figure .1 ';underthese conditions, the panels are firstlyraisedrto? a slig ht degree iOvlEbpeII their sealing -j'oints.: 1 itiis desired to Iopen. the llatchllifayf the operator 'simply starts the motorr ld'so that thelself-propelled panel l3 moves iin the-direction of the arrow F Thus, this the'" left-hand, series i i arldcauses thein rollers l 5 to engage the ramp 8 and their other rollers 6 to engage the ramp 7. Thus, the panels are tilted to their vertical or stowing position shown in thick lines in the left-hand portion of Figure 1. When the panels of series B are to be stowed, the motor is operated in the reverse direction whereby the self-propelled panel 13 moves now in the direction of the arrow F whereby the panels of the other series B are subsequently caused to occupy their stowing position in the space 9' as illustrated in Figure 9.

To close the hatchway, the operator simply brings the self-propelled panel 13 in close vicinity of the panel 3'," or 4, connects these panels through av cable or chain 36 in any conventional manner and moves the panel 13- in the direction of the arrow F in the case of. the panels of the series A, and in the direction of the other arrow F in the case of the panels of the series B.' Of course, the means for interconnecting the panels 13 and 3'" or 13 and 4' can be readily imagined without any special skill, and therefore they are not shown in detail in the draw- 1ngs. I r

It will be readily understood, on the other hand, that it is very simple to provide two panels 13 of which one would be associated with the series A and the other with the series B of panel units.

When the hatchway is open, the panels 13 (which are relatively narrow when measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the aperture to be equipped) are positioned in close vicinity of the stowing spaces 9 or- 9' so that they will not interfere with the loading-and unloading operations taking place through thehatchway; V

As already set forth hereinabove, the basic principle of the present invention is to create a self-contained, self.- propelled 'panel unit adapted to move along the lateral edges of the hatchway and also to drive the dilferent other panels of the. hatch-cover in one and the other direction. Besides, the choice of Single-PullMacGregor panels in the example illustrated and described herein should'not be construed as excluding. any other types of hatchcover panel units, as this type is shown simply by way of example. The same remarks are also applicable to the choice of the stationary racks disposed along the lateral edges of the hatch-coaming and co-acting with pinions to permit the movements of the self-propelled panel unit 13. Many other arrangements may be provided without departing from the aforesaid basic principle :of the invention. Similarly, the self-propelled panel element may be used to drive panels of other types than those suggested or' illustrated herein, such as separate, hingedly-interconnected and other panels. I

I This invention is also concerned by wayxohnovel industrial article with the self-propelled rolling or sliding panel used for "carrying out the method and device set forth hereabove. I v

'Again, this invention is *also concerned with theditterent applications of the method, device and-panel. arrangement'disclosed herein, in the specific case of closing panels for shipholds, railway cars and the like, these panels consisting of separate panel units, or-panel units interconnected --through flexible or rigid means of any character, 'hingedly" interconnected sections and' even panel unitsfhingedly connected to the edgeof the aperture to'beclosed,'0r any other suitable panel types.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown and described herein, asmany modifications-and alterations may bebrought thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is: y i 1. "Apparatus for selectively opening'and closing a subthereof, said panels being dividedintortwo groupseach associated with -a different end -of the opening; said groups, when extending inclosingpositionirom each-end of the opening, having an open space therebetween; cooperating means on said panels and at the ends of the opening effective, upon movement of a panel to its associated end of the opening, to tilt such panel into an upended position in a stowage space at the associated end of the opening; flexible means interconnecting the panels of each group; a non-tiltable control panel disposed between the two groups of panels and riding on the side edges of the opening, said control panel, when said tiltable panels are in the closing position, closing the open space between said two groups; said control panel being movable along the opening in either direction and independently of said two groups of tiltable panels; propelling means on said control panel to move the same in either direction along the opening; said con trol panel, when moved in one direction in the closed condition of the panel, pushing the tiltable panels of one group successively into the associated stowage space, and then being selectively movable in the opposite direction to abut the innermost tiltable panel of the other group and push the tiltable panels of such other group into the associated stowage space; the control panel then being free to move in either direction along the opening, or for lifting from the opening independent of the tiltable panels; said control panel being selectively connectible to the innermost tiltable panel of either group to draw the connected group into closing position.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said propelling means comprises a motor mounted on said control panel and driving pinion means on said control panel engageable with rack means extending along the side edges of the opening.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rack means comprises a pair of racks extending along the op posite side edges of the opening, and having their teeth disposed substantially vertically; said pinion means compring a pair of pinions each associated with one of said racks, said pinions being rotatable about vertical axes.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including flexible coupling means connecting said motor to said pinion means.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including reduction gearing connecting said motor to said pinion means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including a flange extending along each side of the opening and protecting said racks; said racks being mounted on the vertical surfaces of the respective side edges of the opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,735,329 MacGregor Nov. 12, 1929 2,737,919 McRae Mar. 13, 1956 2,755,081 Johnson et al. July 17, 1956 2,788,849 Lingard Apr. 16, 1957 2,790,635 Evans et al. Apr. 30, 1957 2,799,238 Suderow July 16, 1957 

